The foreign trade situation in Yuecheng District was very hot in 2023. Data shows that from January to September 2023, the total import and export volume of foreign trade in Yuecheng reached 85.07 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33.6%, ranking first in the city in terms of growth rate. In the just concluded 134th Canton Fair, this "heat" continued: not only did the number of participating companies and booths reach a historic high, but during the exhibition period, companies also achieved a good result of cumulative intention orders exceeding 100 million US dollars.
Where did the driving force behind the high growth of foreign trade in Yuecheng come from? In recent days, the reporter has visited some participating companies on site and found answers in the confidence and enthusiasm of the exhibitors.
It was said that foreign traders were the most sensitive group to perceive market temperature. During the visit, the reporter did feel the keen sense and tenacity of this group. Since 2023, in the face of the complex and severe external environment and multiple domestic difficulties and challenges, the foreign trade people across the city have instead "rolled" out of Xintiandi. Improving the supply chain, laying out new tracks, and exploring new markets, everyone is constantly moving forward, and their expectations for the future continue to deepen.
On the first day of the third phase of the 134th Canton Fair, Ye Cui, the person in charge of Zhejiang Shaoxing Yongda Needle Spinning Technology Co., Ltd., arrived at the booth early and waited for buyers from all over the world to come and "buy". "This year, we have brought many new products and are very confident in receiving large orders," said Ye Cui confidently, pointing to a new type of fabric that integrates popular elements and color schemes in the center position.
Zhejiang Shaoxing Yongda Needle Spinning Technology Co., Ltd. is an export-oriented enterprise specializing in the production of knitted fabrics and clothing. Since the beginning of 2023, the development quantity of fabrics and clothing has doubled compared to previous years. On the basis of ensuring product quality, enterprises have begun to conduct differentiated and in-depth development for different types of customers, continuously improving product added value.
"The colder the market, the more urgent it is to innovate." Ye Cui told reporters that while many foreign trade enterprises are facing layoffs, Yongda Needle Textile is actively improving its supply chain and is expected to open a new dyeing factory next year. "At present, we have over 400 employees in total, and it is expected to increase by over 200 by next year."
Not far from Zhejiang Shaoxing Yongda Needle Spinning Technology Co., Ltd., another clothing enterprise Shaoxing Zhouji IMP. & EXP. Co., Ltd. has also become the focus of attention with its unique product styles.
"Throughout the Canton Fair, there is only one company that specializes in Western clothing fabrics," the relevant person in charge of the company told reporters. Due to the uniqueness of the products, the company's customers are also relatively precise. "Under the influence of the international environment, orders from the United States have relatively decreased this year. We are now preparing to expand into the Mexican market and hope to try our luck at the Canton Fair."
In addition, Shaoxing Zhouji IMP. & EXP. Co., Ltd. has also launched different products such as women's clothing and children's clothing in 2023, and actively expanded into the cross-border e-commerce field. "While delving deeper into the core areas of our field, we also hope to try and explore more to resist market risks," said the relevant person in charge of the enterprise.
How to define the spring of an industry? For foreign traders, orders are always the most intuitive reference factor. During the communication with exhibitors, the reporter not only felt the innovation and vitality of the enterprise, but also heard a lot of good news about hot sales.
"There are too many customers, and I am too busy to have lunch." During the exhibition, a continuous stream of buyers came to the booth of Shaoxing Chaofeng Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. to seek transactions. The explosive flow of people at the booth surprised the company's head, Zhu Xuefeng.
"In recent days, more than 20 Russian business cards have been collected, and yesterday a Japanese order worth more than 3 million RMB was transacted on site." Zhu Xuefeng said that there were clearly more overseas buyers at this Canton Fair, and companies are opening up new markets and sales channels through exhibitions.
Shaoxing Chaofeng Stationery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a diversified enterprise that integrates research and development, production, and sales, with independent import and export rights. The company specializes in various PP series office stationery, with products selling well around the world. After years of development, the company has expanded its land area from 800 square meters to over 20000 square meters, and its employees have also increased from the initial 6 to over 200 people.
In a booth of less than 20 square meters, the reporter saw that different types of products from the company were evenly distributed. "In the middle is the Makaron color series, which mainly attracts European, American and Japanese customers, on the right is Russia, and in front is the Belt and Road countries dominated by Southeast Asia..." Zhu Xuefeng told reporters that although the orders of enterprises in Europe and the United States have declined in 2023, they have also opened up new markets in many countries and regions, and the overall sales are still rising.
The positive cycle formed between exhibiting and grabbing orders is urging companies to accelerate their confidence and courage in innovation and market expansion. "Exhibiting not only means new customer traffic, but also allows for new design inspiration and ideas." Zhu Xuefeng said that since the beginning of 2023, enterprises have participated in more than ten overseas exhibitions and signed up for the upcoming Frankfurt Exhibition, Russian Stationery Exhibition, and Brazil Exhibition to prepare for orders for next year.
The general feedback from participating companies at this Canton Fair is that there are more buyers and business is thriving. At the booth of Yichen Textile and Clothing Co., Ltd. in Shaoxing City, the bustling passenger flow kept the only three salespeople busy. "I didn't expect so many people to come, and this exhibition has won a lot of intended orders, sending a positive signal of market recovery," said Huang Ronggang, the person in charge of the enterprise, excitedly.
The confidence of foreign traders is not only hidden in individual orders, but also reflected in the government's refined services and policies. During the exhibition, the value-added services provided by the local government in Yuecheng throughout the entire process received continuous praise from numerous participating companies.
The reporter learned that on the occasion of the 134th Canton Fair, Yuecheng was the only district, county, and city in the city to organize large-scale pre-exhibition training. "We have never had contact before, and the training session has opened up new ideas for us." Hong Fang, the e-commerce management manager of Zhejiang Rancho Santa Fe Home Textile Co., Ltd. told reporters that this pre-exhibition training not only helps companies invite customers more accurately, but also opens up new ideas for "online + offline" synchronous marketing for enterprises.
During the exhibition, the Commerce Bureau of Yuecheng District organized more than ten party members to rush to the front line, guiding enterprises to set up exhibitions on site and helping them strengthen product competitiveness. In recent days, party members have taken an average of 20000 steps per day. "The process of visiting is also a process of understanding the enterprise, in order to provide more accurate services for it in the later stage," said Zhuo Chongjiang, the person in charge of Yuecheng Foreign Trade Service Center.
Since 2023, Yuecheng has continued to carry out the "Hundred Groups and Thousand Enterprises" expansion order activity, organizing 1510 enterprises to participate in 40 domestic and foreign exhibitions, with intention orders exceeding 500 million US dollars. 72 enterprises have participated in the Las Vegas International Fashion Fabric Exhibition and Barcelona Exhibition through "One Code Find Order", with intention orders exceeding 28 million US dollars. At the 2023 Greater Bay Area International Fabric and Accessories Expo held from November 6th to 8th, Yuecheng District organized a total of 110 enterprises from the entire district to participate, with an exhibition area of 1719 square meters, including a concentrated exhibition area of 1242 square meters in Yuecheng District.
At the same time, the local government is also increasing institutional openness and accelerating the development and construction of high-energy open platforms. In May, 2023, the "Yuecheng District Carrying Zhejiang (Shaoxing) RCEP High level Open Cooperation Demonstration Zone Construction Plan (2023-2025)" was released. In addition, the local government is leveraging the efforts of the Open and Enhanced Special Group and the "Sweet Potato Economy" Special Task Force to accelerate the construction of a high standard free trade regional network for RCEP member countries around the theme of "one zone and four centers".
In 2023, the total import and export volume of Shaoxing Comprehensive Bonded Zone officially exceeded 10 billion yuan. On September 10th, the second phase of the zone was officially launched, with 8 key projects settled and 12 financial institutions providing centralized credit. This will continue to release the platform driving effect and help the international industrial chain, value chain, and supply chain deeply integrate.
"Foreign trade professionals are a group of persistent individuals who not only need to externalize quality and innovation, but also internalize eternal love in their hearts." During the exhibition, a Yuecheng exhibitor posted this sentence on their social circle, positioning it as the Canton Fair exhibition hall.
This is also a microcosm of the people of Yuecheng Foreign Trade, who maintain the drive for innovation and the enthusiasm and perseverance to never give up. The "giant ship" of Yuecheng Foreign Trade will only grow bigger and go further.